Troy must hold special election to fill mayor position

Oakland County 6th Circuit Court Judge Denise Langford Morris ruled Wednesday that the City of Troy must hold a special election this May to fill the mayor position.

Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, along with Attorney General Bill Schuette, filed a lawsuit on Nov. 30 against City of Troy Clerk Aileen Bittner. The lawsuit demanded the city hold a special election February 2013 to fill recalled Mayor Janice Daniels’ position.

City officials said the February election would violate their charter provisions.

The judge decided that with the upcoming holidays, it would have been “virtually impossible” for the city to hold a February election.

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Both parties must meet within five business days to discuss a timeline for the new election date.

Assistant Attorney General Heather Meingast argued that the February special election was still possible, and had organized a time frame for it to happen.

Meingast proposed two options for selecting candidates for a February election, after two potential candidates were turned away by the Bittner last month.

She proposed that the city could allow those two candidates to run, or have a new period for nominating candidates.

Meingast said she believed that many potential candidates probably felt discouraged from even considering candidacy.

Troy City Attorney Lori Grigg Bluhm represented Bittner in court. She argued that in addition to being against charter provisions, a February 2013 election was never called by the Oakland County Clerk.

The Troy City Council appointed former Council Member Dane Slater to the mayor position in a 4-2 vote.

Judge Langford Morris dismissed a lawsuit filed by Robert Davis, a political activist and Citizens United Against Corrupt Government.

The group argued that citizens have the right to get public officials to comply with election law. The judge said citizens do not have the authority to do so.

Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson reacted by issuing a statement: “Democracy and the voters in Troy are the real winners today. Voters are the ones who will be choosing the city’s next mayor. From the start, we’ve said that state law requires the election and now a judge has agreed. We now will work with city and county leaders to ensure the May election occurs in accordance with the judge’s ruling. I thank the Attorney General’s Office for representing my office in this case.”

Contact Megan Semeraz at 248-745-4628 or email Megan.Semeraz@oakpress.com or follow her on Twitter @MeganSemeraz.